The stories of Iowans about their years in rural communities or on farms will capture both the imagination and the spirit of many in this and other agricultural states. Some are remembrances from times past. Others portray what the ever-changing rural scene has brought about in lives and careers. They speak of hard times as well as joys.

Stories were contributed by people who have lived across the state, in a variety of situations and outlooks. They are as varied as the number of people who wrote them, and they pass along a legacy worth remembering and on which a solid future can be built.